Nutplate installation device

ABSTRACT

A rivet squeeze head, adapted to be used with a conventional rivet squeeze gun body, automatically providing the proper location and relationship for both attach rivets, a nutplate and suitable structure, to which the nutplate is to be attached, and squeezing both of the attach rivets simultaneously.

1 1 Jan. 16,1973

United States Patent 1191 Conner s41 NUTPLATE INSTALLATION DEVICE 1,021,869 4 1912 Havencr ....227/6l 3,478,567 ll/l969 Galutia......................... ....227/6lX [75] Inventor:

Jack S. Conner, Topanga, Calif.

Assignee: Northrop Corporation, Los Angeles, Primary Examiner--Granville Y. Custer, Jr.

Calif. Att0rneyWilliam W. Rundle et a].

[22] Filed: Aug. 23, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT A rivet squeeze head, adapted to be used with a con- [21] Appl. No.: 174,056

ventional rivet squeeze gun body, automatically providing the proper location and relationship for both attach rivets, a nutplate and suitable structure, to

which the nutplate is to be attached, and squeezing both of the attach rivets simultaneously.

1 4 2 6 6 WW 21m 9 l B n1 5 7 2 2 [51] Int. [58] Field of Search......................

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Waddington PATENTEDJAN 16 ms SHEET 1 BF 2 4/ Va 7 0 A .fa ck .{oencar Call/ref N UTPLATE INSTALLATION DEVICE SPECIFICATION The subject invention pertains to rivet squeezing apparatus and more particularly to a rivet squeezing head adapted to be attached and used with conventional rivet squeezing apparatus.

Briefly the rivet squeeze head disclosed herein, is designed for use with a conventional pneumatic rivet squeeze gun, and includes upper and lower jaw members. The upper jaw member is bifurcated providing a pair of side by side auxiliary jaws each carrying a rivet squeeze pad. A magnet is mounted between the auxiliary jaw members and provides means for positioning and locating a nutplate which is to be secured to desired structure. The lower jaw members provide means for holding a dual plunger member adapted to simultaneously squeeze the attach rivets thereby securing the nut plate to mounting structure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a squeeze head which may be installed on a conventional squeeze gun body.

Another object is to provide a squeeze head which positions a nut plate and provides the proper relationship of all components which are to be secured to the nutplate.

Another object is to provide a rivet squeeze head including a'permanent magnet functioning to hold a nutplate in a predetermined relationship with respect to mounting structure on which the nutplate is to be mounted.

Although the characteristic features of the present invention are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, the invention itself, also the manner in which it may be carried out, will be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the rivet squeeze attachment disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of FIG. 1 viewed as indicated by line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view taken as viewed on the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 2 taken on the line 44 of the latter figure and rotated 90, with nutplate removed.

Referring to the drawings for a description of a preferred embodiment of the structure disclosed herein, the subject structure constitutes a rivet squeezing assembly identified in its entirety by the numeral 11. The subject riveting head 12 is adapted to be used in connection with a rivet squeeze gun 14, the head 12 of which is secured thereto by bolts 16 or the like substantially as shown in FIG. 1. The conventional pneumatic rivet squeeze gun 14 includes an air valve (not shown) responsive to trigger means 17 which when actuated results in air pressure being applied to a plunger member 29 as presently explained.

Two C-shaped side plates preferably integral with head 12 include upper and lower jaw portions 18 and 19, respectively, the upper jaw 18 being bifurcated in a lateral sense. It includes a pair of auxiliary jaw members 21 and 22 having a spaced side-by-side relation each having a squeezing pad 23, of cylindrical configuration, mounted thereon.

A bell crank lever-like member 24 is mounted between the auxiliary jaws 21 and 22, the member 24 being pivotally mounted about pivot bolt 35 between side plates 25 substantially as shown in FIG. 1. Springloaded closing action of the member 24 is produced by a compression spring 26, the function of which will become apparent as the disclosure progresses. Carried in a recess in the end of the member 24, i.e., the end opposite the spring 26, is a horse shoe shaped permanent magnet 27 to hold a nut plate 28 in position.

The member 24 is constructed of non-magnetic material, and accordingly there will be no interference between the nutplate 28 and surrounding structure as the nutplate is being placed in a predetermined position. By referring to FIGS. 1 and 4 it will be seen that the receiving end of the bell crank member 24 is enlarged and extends generally a small distance beyond the sides of jaws 21 and 22 as indicated by the numeral 15 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, to form two bottom corners in which to fit the nutplate. Accordingly, it will be seen that the body of the nutplate 28 may be slipped into position as shown. Positioned in this manner it will be apparent that the rivet holes in the nutplate 28 will be located directly in line with the pads 23 and other relationships as previously explained.

The lower jaw 19 includes spaced projections 33, 34, 36 and 37 having bores providing guide means for mounting the aforementioned dual plunger 29. It will be seen that the plunger member 29 is of U-shaped configuration, the two legs 31 thereof contacting and squeezing the two rivets simultaneously, when activated by the rivet squeeze gun 14. Conventional means in the gun 14 returns the plunger member 29 to its original position after each rivet-squeezing operation is completed, assisted by a release spring 42 and tension springs 43 as will be referred to later.

Rivet holding and positioning means 41 are slidably mounted in jaw 19 and on the legs 31 of the plunger 29. By referring to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the means 41 includes cavities 39 into .which rivets 38 are hand placed into bores 44 in split rivet receptacles 32 ahead of and in line with the dual legs 31 of plunger 29. The split portions of receptacles 32 can move apart away from the rivet center line when the receptacles butt solidly against the work piece to which the nut-plate is being riveted, allowing the plunger legs 31 to force the rivet heads through and out of the receptacles 32. Upon retraction of plunger 29, two leaf springs 40 return the split receptacle portions back together.

In operation, a nutplate 28 is positioned in the tool and two rivets 38 are inserted in holding bores 44. A small amount of pressure on trigger 17 advances the plunger legs 31 to a point where the rivet shanks are held protruding from bores 44 toward a work piece 30 which is drilled ready to accept the nutplate. The tool is then moved over the edge of the work piece 30 and the rivets 38 are inserted through attachment holes 45 in work piece 30. At this time, nutplate 28 is being held in alignment with the rivets, on the back side of the work by the magnetic chuck 27. Now the tool is pushed forward and the trigger 17 actuated all the way to completely accomplish the riveting operation. In sequence, what happens is that the nutplate is brought onto the rivets and held snugly against the back surface of the work piece 30, the rivet-heads are pushed through the split receptacles 32 until the beveled underside of the flat-head or flush rivets seat firmly into the countersunk attachment holes 45, and the squeezing pads 23 upset the rivet-shanks against the rear of the nutplate. This sequence is allowed or provided by the pivoting of the bellcrank 24 under pressure against compression spring 26 as the pads 23 are pulled through the rivet shank upsetting travel. After trigger release, the plunger legs 31 are pulled back through the opened up receptacles 32. by release spring 42, the plunger 29 and rivet holding means 41 are retracted by tension springs 43, and the tool withdrawn, breaking the magnetic contact of nutplate 28 from the tool magnet 27.

The structure 30 is then moved, or the gun 14 is moved, to a newposition at which another nutplate is to be installed and the operation repeated. It will be apparent that the gun 14 may be operated manually or automatically as desired. Mechanical means may be provided to drop the rivets 38 into the cavities 39 if the operation is sufficiently extensive to warrant such action.

A thumb actuated, projecting lever 46 may be provided on the sliding rivet holding means 41 to push it back and forth when power is disconnected.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structure features; it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or'modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

luln a rivet squeeze, the combination comprising:

a. a head portion of C-shaped configuration adapted to be mounted on a conventional rivet squeeze gun and including upper and lower jaw'members;

. said upper jaw member being bifurcated defining a pair of auxiliary jaw members having a side-by-side relation;

0. a bell crank-like member mounted for pivotal movement between said auxiliaryjaw members;

. and a permanent magnet mounted on said bell crank-like member adapted to position and hold a nutplate in the proper relationship in which the nutplate is to be mounted on supporting structure.

2. ln apparatus as disclosed in claim 1:

a. said lower jaw including spaced projections, in a longitudinal sense, located directly below said upper auxiliary jaws;

b. said projections having bores functioning to provide guides for a dual plunger member;

. and said dual plunger member acting to urge a pair of attaching rivets through apertures, previously formed in attaching structure, and through the apertures in said nutplate whereby the apertures in said structure and nutplate are aligned.

. In apparatus as set forth in claim 2:

. in which a portion of said bell crank-like member is enlarged to provide locating means for said nutplate. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including rivet heading pads fixedly mounted on said auxiliary 'aw members; and I eastic means normally urging said bell crankmember toward said lower jaw members, said elastic means structured to be. overcome by the normal squeezing force of said gun;

c. whereby the plate nut is automatically maintained against the attaching structure while the bucked heads of the rivets are formed.

. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including rivet holding means slidable in said projections, said holding means comprising a pair of split receptacles nonnally spring-loaded closed;

. a bore in each of said receptacles centered on the split and aligned with said auxiliary jaw members, and sized to slip-fit around the shank of a rivet to be used;

. a rivet insertion cavity in one side of each of said split receptacles for feeding rivets into said bores; and

. said dual plunger member being slidable to a position contacting the heads of said rivets and forcing the heads of said rivets through said bores to open said split receptacles and discharge said rivets therefrom against the attaching structure during the riveting operation.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 including spring return means connected from said head to said rivet holding means to retract the latter after actuation of said plunger member. 

1. In a rivet squeeze, the combination comprising: a. a head portion of C-shaped configuration adapted to be mounted on a conventional rivet squeeze gun and including upper and lower jaw members; b. said upper jaw member being bifurcated defining a pair of auxiliary jaw members having a side-by-side relation; c. a bell crank-like member mounted for pivotal movement between said auxiliary jaw members; d. and a permanent magnet mounted on said bell crank-like member adapted to position and hold a nutplate in the proper relationship in which the nutplate is to be mounted on supporting structure.
 2. In apparatus as disclosed in claim 1: a. said lower jaw including spaced projections, in a longitudinal sense, located directly below said upper auxiliary jaws; b. said projections having bores functioning to provide guides for a dual plunger member; c. and said dual plunger member acting to urge a pair of attaching rivets through apertures, previously formed in attaching structure, and through the apertures in said nutplate whereby the apertures in said structure and nutplate are aligned.
 3. In apparatus as set forth in claim 2: a. in which a portion of said bell crank-like member is enlarged to provide locating means for said nutplate.
 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including a. rivet heading pads fixedly mounted on said auxiliary jaw members; and b. elastic means normally urging said bell crank-member toward said lower jaw members, said elastic means structured to be overcome by the normal squeezing force of said gun; c. whereby the plate nut is automatically maintained against the attaching structure while the bucked heads of the rivets are formed.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including a. rivet holding means slidable in said projections, said holding means comprising a pair of split receptacles normally spring-loaded closed; b. a bore in each of said receptacles centered on the split and aligned with said auxiliary jaw members, and sized to slip-fit around the shank of a rivet to be used; c. a rivet insertion cavity in one side of each of said split receptacles for feeding rivets into said bores; and d. said dual plunger member being slidable to a position contacting the heads of said rivets and forcing the heads of said rivets through said bores to open said split receptacles and discharge said rivets therefrom against the attaching structure during the riveting operation.
 6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 including spring return means connected from said head to said rivet holding means to retract the latter after actuation of said plunger member. 